In particular, wondering about the combination of 'Reactionary' and 'Exile' each providing a +2 trait bonus to initiative. Can you take both for a +4, or should I find a replacement for Reactionary? (Exile is central to the character concept, so if they don't stack, Reactionary gets the boot.)

Many traits grant a new type of bonus: a “trait” bonus. Trait bonuses do not stack—they’re intended to give player characters a slight edge, not a secret backdoor way to focus all of a character’s traits on one type of bonus and thus gain an unseemly advantage. It’s certainly possible, for example, that somewhere down the line, a “Courageous” trait might be on the list of dwarf race traits, but just because this trait is on both the dwarf race traits list and the basic combat traits list doesn’t mean you’re any more brave if you choose both versions than if you choose only one.

Never skip on the second trait if your DM says it's available... What sort of character do you have? I know lots of the martial classes can always benefit from a +1 to their Will save - which is available... You could also take a trait that gives you a specific skill as a class skill - that's an extra +3 to a skill your class normally doesn't get...

Never skip on the second trait if your DM says it's available... What sort of character do you have? I know lots of the martial classes can always benefit from a +1 to their Will save - which is available... You could also take a trait that gives you a specific skill as a class skill - that's an extra +3 to a skill your class normally doesn't get...

Basically always take that extra trait is you can!

It's actually a +4. Usually you get a +1 trait bonus and it becomes a class skill. A single rank and the trait gives you +5 + attribute bonus. Not bad for a single trait investment.

Yeah... a +1 trait bonus and class skill status for skills I either (a) already have as class skills and don't really feel the need for a +1 bump or (b) will never use because I don't have skill points to sink into one more skill.

I was already making the character an exile, before I knew about the trait. Initiative bonuses are always good, so that was happy. Couldn't find rule for trait bonuses stackability, and frankly the initiative bonus was the only attractive thing on the list, imo.

Anyway. I'll be fine with just the one trait, thanks; I really don't like/need any of the others.

Many traits grant a new type of bonus: a “trait” bonus. Trait bonuses do not stack—they're intended to give player characters a slight edge, not a secret backdoor way to focus all of a character's traits on one type of bonus and thus gain an unseemly advantage. It's certainly possible, for example, that somewhere down the line, a “Courageous” trait might be on the list of dwarf race traits, but just because this trait is on both the dwarf race traits list and the basic combat traits list doesn't mean you're any more brave if you choose both versions than if you choose only one.